RAJASTHANI CHURMA (FROM LEFTOVER CHAPATTIS)

Being vegetarian I am big fan of gujarati and rajasthani food. Every month we use to go to Rajdhani restaurant to catch dish of Dal bati and churma. Having sweet tongue I use to finish of churma first J.

When it comes to cooking something from leftovers I become real innovative. As you should cook in such a way that others will not only like it but should not understand it’s made out of leftovers. So I tried this recipe, after the first spoon in my mouth, I patted my own back and hubby dear didn’t even came to know it’s made out of leftover chapattis and it was as delicious as the rajdhani dishJ

Preparation Time: 5 mins

Cooking Time: 5 mins

Serves/ Makes: 2

Utensil Needed:

Mixer Grinder

Frying Pan

Ingredients:

4 Left over Chapattis

4 tsp Ghee

½ tsp Cardamom Powder

1 tsp broken Cashew Nuts

1 tsp Raisins

1 tsp broken Walnuts

1 tsp broken Almonds

8 tsp Sugar (adjust your Sweetness)

Method:

Tire the chapattis into pieces. Grind it into fine powder in mixer grinder. Now in a frying pan, melt ghee. Roast in ghee all the dry fruits till golden. Now add the powder chapattis. Roast it and keep stirring it continuously to avoid burning for about 3 minutes on low flame. Now add cardamom powder and sugar and mix well for another 1 min. Switch off the gas and keep it on hot pan for 10 minutes. Churma is ready to serve.

Tip: Continuously mixing on low flame is key point as we want granulated texture.

ORANGE YOGURT CAKE

This is Ina Garten’s revised Version of Lemon Yogurt cake. I had Lots of Oranges and yogurt in my refrigerator, so while watching her recipe I got tempted to make it , so I made my version with few changes in her recipe and the result was awesome . I love oranges and this cake was one of the best cake from my oven. I pass it on some to my friends and they too love it. It’s super orangy and super moist cake which melts in mouth. It’s a must try recipe.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups All – Purpose Flour

1 ½ tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Cinnamon Powder

3 Eggs

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup melted Butter

2 tsp orange zest

1 tsp Vanilla Essence

1 cup Plain Yogurt

1/2 cup orange juice (I use fresh-squeezed)

For the Syrup:

1 cup Sugar

1/2 cup Water

1/2 cup orange juice

1 Cinnamon Stick

2-3 pieces Orange Peel/Zest

Method:

1. 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F.Grease with butter and dust flour to the cake pan. First combine all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Beat together the eggs and sugar until foamy. Add the butter, grated orange zest, and vanilla. Add yogurt, Orange juice, and dry ingredients to the egg mixture gradually. Bake for 45 minutes, until the cake is firm and golden.6

Combine all syrup ingredients in a small saucepan and bring quickly to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Allow to cool, and remove the cinnamon stick and orange peel. Pour all the syrup on cake surface while it is still warm. Let the cake cool down. Cake will absorb all the syrup . Let it cool down for around 4-5 hrs. This cake taste its best next day when syrup sinks in the cake and it become nice moist and orangy.

STUFFED TAWA BHINDI

My hubby is a big fan of bhindis. Everytime we do our grocery, the first thing he picks is this fresh green bhindis, and this is his favorite preparation. The masala stuffed in the bhindis nicely marinates and stir frying makes it more crispy. This is a very regular preparation at our place as it goes irresistibly with hot rice dal.

Preparation Time: 10 mins

Cooking Time: 5 mins

Serves/ Makes: 3

You Need:

2 cups Bhindis (Okra)

For the Stuffing:

1 tsp Turmeric

1 tsp Chilli Powder

1 tsp Cumin Powder

1 tsp Coriander Powder

1 tsp Garam Masala

Salt for taste

Oil

Method :

Cut the edges of okra and slit in between for stuffing. In a bowl, mix all the stuffing ingredients together. Stuff it in slit okra. In a pan, heat 2-3 tsp oil and stir fry this okra till it cooks. Put lid on it and let it cook for 2 minutes. Serve hot with rice and dal.

JUICY FRUIT SALAD

Me and My hubby are big fan of fruits. After every dinner we both have fruits. This is one of salad perfect for dinner where we don’t have to end up with fruit again. My refrigerator is always full of fruits, so I decided to make this salad which is not only healthy but tasty too.

Preparation time: 10 mins

Cooking time : 5 mins

Serves/ Makes: 3-4

You Need:

Finely chopped mix fruits (don’t use bananas)

1 lemon juice

Pinch of salt

½ cup Fruit juice (any fruit juice will do)

½ cup sugar

¼ cup water

Vanilla Ice cream

Method:

Chop all the fruits finely . Make sugar syrup from sugar and water. Add lemon juice, syrup, fruit juice, salt to fruits and mix well. I also added mango pulp. Mix all well and top up with ice cream and serve.

MANGO SHEERA

I don’t like to eat sheera plain, so I keep on experimenting with different flavors. I like to use fresh fruit juices to give flavor and it really taste awesome. When it comes to plain sheera, its only of satanarayan pooja’s prasad that I like. This time in mango season I brought ratnagiri mango pulp, which was really good and fresh. So tried this flavor for my sheera, and was so good and rich in color. I served to my guest, they were so happy for this Indian mango taste in the sheera making it more tasty. Its also quick and easy dessert.

Preparation Time: 5 mins

Cooking Time: 15 mins

Serves/ Makes: 4

You Need:

2 Cups Dry Roasted Coarse Rava (Semolina)

2 Cloves

1 ½ Cup Clarified Butter/Unsalted Butter

2 Cups Mango Pulp

1 Cup Milk

1 Cup Sugar

1 Tsp Cardamom Powder

¼ Cup Cashew Nuts

Method:

Dry Roast Semolina and keep it aside. In a skillet, melt butter, add cloves and cashews. Add Semolina and mix well. Now add Mango pulp and milk and mix well. Cover with lid and let it cook for 3 mins. Now add sugar and cardamom powder and mix well. Garnish with cashew nuts. Serve it after cools.

PANI PURI

Pani Puri, Golgappa, Phuchka, just name it and your mouth will start watering. Ever since I came here, I crave for this street food. Miss all those days in Mumbai, I use to have pani puri every day on the streets. This is the one of street food which people enjoy on streets only. With that thelas and pani puriwala serving you the puris dip in that spicy tangy water feels so next to paradise.

Pani puri with the crispy shells filled with spicy water makes your mouth full. The filling is made of potatos, chickpeas, moong, bundi, curd, ragda , it differs from the region of india where it is served. Being from Mumbai, I love the Mumbai style pani puri with Ragda, tamarind water, mint water and ending it up with sukha puri. I make Puris at home , as the pani puri taste the best with this fresh crispy puris.

You Need:

For the Puris:

1 cup Semolina

2 tsp All- Purpose Flour

Pinch of Salt

½ cup Warm Water

For Spicy Mint Water :

1 cup Mint Leaves

1 big piece of Ginger

5-6 Green Chillis

1 ½ tsp Pani Puri Masala

¾ tsp Chat Masala

½ tsp Pepper Powder

2 tsp Black Salt

1 Lemon Juice

½ tsp Amchur Powder

¼ tsp Hing

2 cups water

Tamarind Water:

1 Lime size Tamarind

5-6 Dates

1 cube Jaggery

½ tsp Chilli Powder

1 tsp Cumin Seeds

¼ tsp Salt

For Ragda:

2 cups White dry Peas

½ tsp Turmeric

Salt

Method:

For the Puris:

Mix all the Puri ingredients to form a hard dough. Keep it side for ½ hour .Heat oil for deep frying puris. Now make peanut size balls and on the surface rub oil and roll into thin small puris. Apply oil as needed to roll , don’t use flour for rolling into thin puris. Once oil is hot, turn the flame on medium and drop the puris . They will puff up, then slightly push them into oil dipping them with back side of spoon. Let the puris stay in oil for atleast 2 minutes .Once golden remove them. They should be crispy.

For Spicy Mint Water:

Grind mint and ginger into paste. Add the rest ingredients and grind again. Add water to paste and refrigerate it for an hour.

For Tamarind Water:

Soak tamarind, dates, jaggery into warm water for 4 hours. Remove seeds from dates. Grind into paste. Add the rest ingredients and grind again. Add water if required for watery consistency.

For Ragda:

Soak white peas overnight. In a pressure cooker, cook peas with turmeric and salt added for 5 whistles. It should be well cooked.

Assembling Pani Puri:

Make hole in puri , add ragda, Bundi , boiled potatoes, sweet water and dip into spicy mint water and have your mouth full.End it up with sukha puri by topping some ragda and boiled potato on non puffed puris (papdi) and sprinkle some chat masala and fine sev on top and enjoy after pani puri…..hmmmmmm!!!!

PANEER MAKHANWALA

This is one of the rich, creamy, famous punjabi preparation. The name itself says it all, paneer pieces in rich butter gravy making it finger licking delicious. This preparation is all time favorite with no leftovers.

Preparation Time: 15 mins

Cooking Time: 15 mins

Serves / Makes: 3-4

 

Ingredients :

2 cups Paneer (cut in big cubes)

½ cup Unsalted Butter

1 Big Onion ( finely chopped)

1 Big  Tomato (finely chopped)

6-7 cloves Garlic (grated)

2 inch Ginger (grated)

1 Bay Leaf

1 tsp Cumin Seeds

2 inch Cinnamon Bark

2 Cloves

4 Peppercorns

2 Green Cardamom

2 tsp Cashew Nuts

2 tsp Poppy Seeds (optional)

1 tsp Chilli Powder

½ tsp Turmeric

1 tsp Coriander Powder

½ tsp Garam Masala

2 tsp Kasori Methi

1 tsp Tandoori Masala (optional)

½ cup Heavy Cream

Salt to taste

oil

For garnishing: Coriander leaves , Heavy cream and grated cheese / Paneer.

 

Method:

1.       Deep fry paneer pieces in oil till they turn golden brown.

2.      In a wok, heat 2 tsp oil , add bay leaf, cinnamon, cumin seeds, peppercorns, cloves, cardamom, cashew nuts. Sauté  for a min.

3.      Now add chopped ginger – garlic paste, onion sauté till they turn golden, then add tomatoes and poppy seeds and cook till they form into sauce. Then let it cool down and grind into paste.

4.      Now in the same wok, melt butter add the paste, add the paneer pieces, add dry masalas , salt and cream.

5.      Garnish with chopped coriander leaves, grated cheese or paneer and drizzle some heavy cream.

6.      Serve it hot with hot naans or tandoori rotis.

NAAN

Naan is a round flatbread made of white flour(maida). It bears a resemblance to pita, but is softer in texture. Naans are traditionally cooked in a Tandoor.  It can also be made in your oven at home. Serve this delicious bread hot, with Non Veg or any Punjabi gravy. The dough for Naans needs to be made in advance so factor that into the preparation time.

The first thing which we use to order in restaurants in Mumbai was this hot from tandoor naans. The best combination I like is paneer makhanwala and hot naans. This is the best naan ever I had, fresh from our own oven.

Ingredients:

2 cups All purpose flour

1 tsp Yeast

¾ cup Warm water

¼ cup Milk

2 ½  tsp Yogurt

1 tsp Sugar

Pinch of Baking Powder

1 tsp Salt

For Butter Naan: Melted Butter

For Garlic Naan: Minced Garlic

For Chat Naan: Chat Masala

Method:

In a bowl mix warm water and yeast. Add milk to it and keep it for 10 minutes. In a mixing bowl, mix all dry ingredients and yogurt. Add yeast mixture and knead into dough. Keep this dough aside for four hours. The dough will rise. Pre- heat the oven at highest or 500 F for 20 minutes. Now make balls and roll into naan oval shape or simply pull it to form shape. Bake it nearest to flame in oven for 3 minutes or till u get golden brown spots. Flip it to bake both the sides equally. Apply butter to both the side. Serve it hot.

For garlic naan, sprinkle some of the minced garlic on top and roll before baking it. For chat naan, sprinkle some chat masala on top once baked. Enjoy!!!

TANDOORI ROTI

Who doesn’t like Punjabi food. Punjabi food is popularly known for its Tandoor cooking. Food cooked in this special oven –Tandoor is such heavenly. I had gurdwara near my office, every time when I forget my Tiffin I use to rush for their free meals. Lentils cooked in buttery sauces and hot from Tandoor rotis. Hah!!! I am just missing those days. Fascinated for Punjabi food, I made this Tandoori rotis in my toaster, and guess what…it was perfect as it is cooked in Tandoor. Tandoori rotis with dal makhani in your plate a straight way to heaven.

You Need:

Utensils:

Mixing bowl

Iron skillet

Toaster

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup Whole wheat flour

2 tsp Curd

½ Sugar

2 tsp Clarified butter

Salt

Water

Method:

Mix the above ingredients to form a soft dough. Keep this dough for atleast half an hour aside. Now make small balls (Size of chapatti dough ball) and roll round shape of puris. Roast it on pre- heated pan on both side. Don’t cook it completely, keeping it little bit kuccha (half cooked). Now do the same with other balls too. Place the half cooked rotis in toaster and on medium heat toast it. It will rise like puri and have golden spots as cooked in Tandoori. Remove the rotis brush ghee. Tandoori rotis are ready.

BOMBAY VADA PAV

Vada Pav or Indian burger comes from lands of Amchii Mumbai. Being from Mumbai how can I resist making Vada Pav. This popular street food snack is a big hit in Mumbai and all over India. It has a record of being highly consumed fast food by poor as well as riches on daily basis. This snack is such a easy to kill your hunger with a satisfaction while working, while travelling, can be consumed for breakfast, lunch, dinner..anytime. I love this snack with hot cup of tea. I don’t remember when I had it for the first time or how much did I consumed till now. This such a staple food for Mumbai locals.

I still remember I use to have Rs 2 vada pav during my school days, now because of its popularity it ranges from Rs 5 to Rs 30. Also now there is an exclusive chain for this popular fast food ‘Jumbo Vada Pav ’ to feed Mumbai locals.

This version of Vada Pav goes to my memories of college days. I use to everyday grab this snack from the famous Parle college Vada Pav walla. I once asked him as to how you make this mint chutney so thick without using coconut, and he shared with me his amazing famous Vada Pav recipe. So this recipe is the combination of all the memories of famous Vada Pav of Mumbai.

This recipe is divided into Batata Vada, 3 chutneys, Assembling Vada Pav.

Batata Vada:

Ingredients:

For Filling :

3 Large Potatoes (Cooked and Mashed)

1 tsp Mustard Seeds (optional)

Pinch of Hing

5 Cloves Garlic (finely chopped)

2 Inch Ginger

5-6 Curry leaves

1 tsp Turmeric

½ tsp Chilli Powder (optional)

3 -4 Green Chillis (finely chopped)

Salt for taste

Cilantro(Coriander) chopped.

Oil

For Covering:

1 cup Besan (chick peas flour)

½ tsp Chilli Powder (optional)

½ tsp Turmeric

¾ cup Water

Pinch of Baking soda

Salt to taste.

For deep frying:

Oil

Method:

For the filling: In a wok, heat oil add mustard seeds, hing, curry leaves, chopped chillies, ginger , garlic and sauté for a minute. Add turmeric, chilli powder, salt. Add the mashed potatoes. Add cilantro and mix well. The filling is ready.

For the cover: In a bowl, mix all the ingredients for covering together and keep it aside for atleast half an hour. Consistency of batter should not be too watery or too thick.

For frying the Batata Vada: In a wok, heat oil for deep frying. Now make balls of the filling and dip into the covering batter coating the filling all over and deep fry till they get brown. Batata Vada is ready.

Mint Chutney:

Ingredients:

8 – 10 Mint Leaves

½ Bunch of Coriander Leaves

2-3 Green Chillis

½ tsp Chat Masala

1 Slice of bread

Salt for taste

Method:

Toast the bread on pan to remove its moisture, till it becomes dry. Make small pieces of this dry bread . Grind all the ingredients together into paste. Green chutney is ready.

Tamarind chutney:

Ingredients:

1 Lime size Tamarind ball /2 ½ tsp  Tamarind extract

4-5 Dates

Small piece of jaggery/ 2 tsp Sugar

Method:

Soak all the ingredients in hot water for a hour. After a hour, Grind it into paste. Tamarind Chutney is ready.

Bombay Red Chutney:

Ingredients:

5-6 Cloves of Garlic

½ cup of Grated Dry Coconut/ Desiccated Coconut

¼ cup Peanuts

3 -4 tsp Chilli Powder

Salt to taste

Method:

In a pan, dry roast Garlic, Dry Coconut, Peanuts till coconut turns brown. After it cools, grind into powder. Add chilli powder and salt. Mix well. Red Chutney is ready.

Assembling Vada Pav:

Cut the Pav (Indian Bread) between. Apply butter both the sides and toast it on hot pan( as it is done for Pav Bhaji) till they turn slight golden. Apply Green chutney on one side, Tamarind chutney on other side. Now Place the Vada on the tamarind chutney side. Sprinkle some red chutney powder on the green chutney. You can also apply ketchup and sprinkle some fine sev, if you like. Place some sliced onions. And close it to form a burger. Enjoy the famous Vada Pav with hot cup of tea!!!!